Natural Cures for a Brain Injury

Aside from team rivalries and all out victories, brain injuries are one of the hottest topics in sports today. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, sports and recreational activities alone are responsible for nearly 21% of brain injuries. No matter how you have developed an injury, though, you can employ a number of different methods to treat the condition, incorporating necessary medical attention as well as natural cures like omega-3 fats and turmeric.

What Is a Brain Injury?

Mayo Clinic explains a brain injury, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), as a condition that occurs when an external force causes brain dysfunction. The most common causes of TBI are a violent blow to your head or a jolt to your head and/or body. An object permeating the surface of your skull can also cause significant brain injury.

The prevalence of symptoms associated with a brain injury vary depending on the severity of your condition. Additionally, some symptoms may occur directly following the event or not manifest until days or even weeks later. Nevertheless, common signs of a brain injury include loss of consciousness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and dizziness. Other symptoms include sensory issues such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light or sound, memory or concentration problems, and mood changes.

Do Natural Cures Help Recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

It is absolutely necessary to consult a medical professional when you suspect a traumatic brain injury. However, there are many natural remedies that help expedite recovery from a brain injury. Herbal remedies that offer support for TBI include options such as omega-3 fats, turmeric, and gingko. Likewise, treatments such as acupuncture and massage have also shown to be beneficial for treating brain injuries.

1. Omega-3 Fats

When you consider the composition of your brain, it is actually 60% fat, constructed from omega-3 fats. A daily supplement of omega-3s inhibits cell death, helps promote the reconnection of damaged neurons in the brain, and activate specific genes that help you cope with brain damage. Dr. Mercola suggests two to three 500mg capsules of krill oil, a natural omega-3 fat, each day for the best benefits.

2. Turmeric

The Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism supports use of turmeric as a natural treatment for brain injury. Turmeric contains an important compound known as curcumin, which is used for relieving inflammation in the system. It also helps promote the functioning of the brain and promotes effective blood flow throughout your body to ensure you are getting plenty of oxygen flow to your brain. For the best results, take a 500mg capsule of turmeric up to four times a day.

3. Gingko

Gingko biloba is another treatment option purported by the Vermont Center. This treatment contains glycosylated flavonoids that help reduce inflammation in your brain following an injury. This treatment also promotes circulation to the brain and improves moods. Take 240mg to 480mg of the extract daily.

4. Acupuncture

The Brain Injury Recovery Network also suggests alternative therapies, like acupuncture for effective treatment. With a focus on rebalancing your body, acupuncture may help treat your symptoms as well as the actual damage to your brain.

5. Massage

While massage may not seem like a directly related treatment for TBI, it helps restore proper function throughout your body. It also helps improve circulation, the flow of lymph fluid, and the metabolism of wastes in your body, which all work to rejuvenate your brain.

Try one of our suggested natural cures for a brain injury, or read below for even more reader-suggested treatment options.

Developmental Movement Therapy

I myself have used this therapy to recover from minor brain damage due to pesticide exposure. The therapist I worked with was also working with adults with very serious brain damage due to CPS, and head injuries.

Dr. Daniel Amen Work

Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/10/2012

Sue M. and anyone else interested- This is an audio interview I received today in which Dr. Daniel Amen speaks on brain health and that the good news is that through diet and lifestyle we can have good brain health and even restore it from damage. Because I know many people who come here on EC are always looking for more ways to enhance our health and have optimal brain function I thought this would be of great interest. Of course, another fact is how closely related our gut health is to our brain health. Many who come on here have digestion/ gut issues so understanding this connection is important to know. I have been fortunate enough to see this very knowledgeable doctor speak live with much passion and care for humanity. His books too are amazing for those who would like to learn even more. Here is the link to the interview:

EDTA

Posted by Robin (Melbourne, Australia) on 02/02/2011

Dear Ted, is it true edta cant cross the brain barrier? or go intracellular? What is the best for getting metal out of the brain? My brain arteries are full of ca. The prefrontal cortex is all damaged.

Hyperbaric Oxygen

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy CURED my son's post concussion syndrome. He did 12 sessions in a medical grade chamber--not the kind you can buy online or in a store. You have to find a naturopath or someone like that to administer the more pressurized oxygen. It's very expensive though!! That's the downside. But beg, borrow or do whatever to have this therapy if you're still suffering and nothing else has helped!! After 3 sessions he noticed significant improvement from brain fog and after 12 sessions was totally better. It's a miracle.

Hyperbaric Oxygen, Amino Acids

My husband has had multiple concussions which have led to post-concussion syndrome. After his 3rd head injury, his MDs told him he'd never work or drive again, to learn to live with extreme pain and they only had pharmaceuticals, for symptom control/relief, or a shunt that they could offer. One of his MDs, at my request, found a clinic that would do hyperbaric oxygen treatments (hbot) for conditions AMA does not officially approve of for using hbot. My husband did 40 sessions, 1 hour at pressure, in a 100% oxygen environment, and 11 days later was back at work. The results were extremely significant and all forms of brain injury can respond to hbot. We saw other folks who were coming to the clinic making progress before our eyes, kids with cerebral palsy, people who'd had strokes. The sooner after a brain trauma the treatment begins, the better, but improvement can still come years later. There are many links for many different conditions there; brain injury is not the only condition that hbot can provide healing for. The results for my husband were so significant, we now own a hyperbaric chamber instead of having bought long term health care insurance. That chamber is our long term insurance.

In addition to hbot, we've found amino acid supplementation to be helpful in symptom control. The effects are often extremely quick - a few minutes literally.

Certain amino acids are precursors to brain chemicals, for instance l-tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, phenylalanine is a precursor to dopamine, etc. Using amino acids requires observation and interaction on the part of the healer and if possible, the patient. For instance, my husband, unable to take gabapentin, a pharmaceutical involved in GABA brain levels, found great relief using GABA amino acid, but we had to have the powdered form and initially he could only use 1 grain at a time of the powder.

Neither hbot nor amino acid supplementation has provided 100% cure for my husband by any means, but they have provided significant and noticeable healing and/or relief. I am continuing my search for other routes to healing brain injuries and will share whatever I find. I am sorry that this post is over 2 years after the initial question, but hope this will still be helpful for some people.

Hello, Miranda. I've read what you shared 6 years ago. I am currently suffering from pcs, I am interested in hbot. Could you provide any info on how to make a hyperbaric oxygen tank or what ever it is. I hate pharmacyticals so now seeking alternate treatments. I want to thank you for sharing your husband's story as well as amino acid treatments I will try. I hope your husband recovered 100% or enough to get his life back on track.

Krill Oil, Astaxanthin and Coconut Oil

Some person I know hit their head when they fell backwards. They went to hospital for a couple days. They gave him oxycontin and antibiotics.

I am recommending that he takes 1500 mg krill oil and 4 mg astaxanthin along with 2 tsp of coconut oil.

Coconut oil being a fat will also help absorb the krill oil. The astaxanthin will neutralize any potential rancidity although I think studies have shown krill oil seems to have low rancidity factor. Ideally it should be taken with food especially any stomach discomfort but I would guess that having coconut oil that one could take the combination without food.

Fish oils in general tend to go rancid very quickly hence cause aging. One needs to take an good antioxidant.

It has been said that one should ideally give people these nutrients as soon as possible after head trauma. Arnica is another thing that gets suggested. If you have any other suggestions and thoughts on this, please reply

Prioris: A lot more nutrients are required to repair injuries. On top of this neurons require a lot more nutrients than regular cells. The brain has a voracious appetite for raw sugar, raw protein, trace minerals, and b vitamins. Take the super foods freeze dried wild Alaskan blueberry powder, raw cocoa powder, desiccated liver, and Hawaiian spirulina every couple hours with 15-20g organic whole dried cane or raw honey with some spring water and coconut oil. When he gets up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom take another dose. The continuous supply of nutrients are very beneficial.

It will be difficult getting the person to take anything so I have to keep it a short and simple list. So if one had to make a list of just one or two things, what would have the biggest impact. For many people, all they think about is - give me something for the pain - so when the pain goes away they tend to ignore the underlying problem. I will suggest some things to him but ultimately they are responsible. So I have to make it as simple as possible.

Melatonin

Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/24/2013

I just found out that a head trauma can cause the brain to have trouble with the hormone melatonin , so adding some 15 minutes before bed can help. I also found a doctor commenting on valerian root in a comment about red raspberry leaf tea on amazon. She said valarian root works right up there with other anti anxiety / sleep aids. Another site had some warnings of valerian root rewiring the brain chemistry, pharms probably do also.

Multiple Remedies

I already was passionate about yoga, ayurveda, chinese medicine, nutrition, and herbal remedies and had cured many a thing with the help of Earth Clinic over the years. :)
Then a truck hit me, and my head fell and cracked open onto the lava rock (like glass aa kind o rock) so I was in a coma 3 days but awoke, therapy, physical and mental - and weaned myself off of painkillers faster than most do - like a month or two after injury - and kept to my mostly vegan diet, mostly fruits n veggies with fish and omega fatty acid fish oil supplements - chia seed - hemp seed oil protien, etc, ashwaganda helps. really helps memory and is an adaptogen - so it helps with many things at once.

Lots of greens, keep body oxygenated! lots of aerobic exercise! I danced my heart out. pain help by yoga, meditation, deep breathing, "breath of fire" where one breaths fast in and out fully then fast like 108 breaths then fully in and out from sky to center of earth - there are videos online how to do it properly. do with shaman or elder is best, rainbow tribe know. :) <3

Funny enough, occasional, RARE organic tobacco smoke helped my brain have emergency energy sometimes, like if I as on a bike ride and couldn't make it home, too dizzy n weak, a puff o organic tobacco n I made it fine. :) helped heal headaches too. only thing that did! God made even tobacco for a reason. :)

I have two metal plates in my head, I guess titanium, so occasionally my head felt just painfully swollen with excess oil filled with METAL trying to detox out, so I took chlorella. also like spirulina, high in protein. :) Chlorella grabs like cilantro, heavy metals out of body.

I forgot to add to post I just made, my social and balance and temporary memory short term part of brain was damaged so my wholistic minded doctor who was a neurosurgeon before family practice doctor <3 recommended G.A.B.A. I took chewable NOW brain and WOW WOW WOW. I immediately felt stonger in brain, plus helped DRASTICALLY with social anxiety, which I was always prone to but got worse after brain damage.

YAY FOR GABA TRY IT! Seriously, this is the most important info ever. Gaba. it's neurotransmitters! You can eat! For brain!

I wanted to say hi. I have been researching brain healing and recovery as I was recently the victim of a random violent crime. I was chased down and hit from behind with what we deduced was a baseball bat or metal pipe. The rear right of my skull was fractured into 12 pieces. My jaw was broken and my nose too. My forearm was cracked and my shoulder blade was broken.

I was in a coma for 10 days and on a ventilator, oral first and then a traech was put in. The ER sliced my scalp open to reassemble my skull and monitor for brain swelling. Another week under observation and then I spent about 3 more weeks in physical rehab and making arrangements for my release.

As of today I am in pretty darn good shape. Besides the scars, my only great concern is the paralysis of my right vocal cord. They tell me it's the direct result of the brain impact but the good thing is to expect total recovery from this particular affliction.

I made it thru with barely a care considering how close I came to bleeding to death first of all and then the internal bleeding in my skull was drowning my brain on the night of the event. I made it to the ER after I collapsed on someone's driveway at 3am after wandering around for hours with no clue.

So...I've read half the net regarding healing from this and I'm already very healthy and now taking many supplements to induce advanced brain functioning and healing. I was wondering if you have any advice or special words of wisdom to pass on that might aid my recovery. I invite a response and am happy that you too have survived a challenge as great as our situations have in common.

What brand of gaba did you use? My system is almost prescription resistant, thanks to doctors misdiagnosing me and giving me prescription after prescription, thus affected how it metabolizes good vs bad brands of any type supplement.

Non- Cancerous Tumor

Posted by Friend (Houston, Texas) on 01/21/2011

Does anyone out there know if there is a natural cure for meningoma (Benign or noncancerous brain tumor). It is not actually on the brain, but is between the protective layer and the brain. It was discovered when I had a small seizure and showed up on a CT / MRI scan.

Suzanne Somers (in her latest book, Knockout) interviewed a ground-breaking doctor --Dr. B________) who has his clinic right here in Houston (Stafford, TX). He specializes in brain disease, providing supplements for his patients, with excellent results! His success record rivals conventional therapy, his 40 years to FDA's 50 years, 80% vs. 5%! If you decide to get your own doctor's opinion of Dr. B_____, be prepared to have him call Dr. B_____ a quack. In fact, the FDA sued Dr. B_____ at least 9 times. There is even a MOVIE documenting Federal court proceedings, (here in Houston), complete with medical records, patient testimonials, etc. Dr. B_____'s patients have never given up, either. They've fought with him all the way toward acquittal, which happened, finally, in 2009. Dr. B_________ WON!!!!! Please research his record before you decide what to do. You will be AMAZED at what you DISCOVER (and so incredibly INFORMED)!

Supplements and pH Balance

Dearest Ted, I'm a dedicated reader of earthclinic.com and wanted to ask you if you could help me with my Cousin. He is now 21 years old and is a product of severe child abuse that led to severe brain damage. His grandmother (My Aunt) has been taking care of him since he was 3 years old. He can barely walk, he is very good at repeating people and he loves to sing. He is also very lovable but knows no boundaries. He has no understanding of pain and according to doctors, does not feel pain. So He's very hard to help because he doesn't' know if he's hurt. They told my Aunt that he wouldn't live past 10 years old and here he is at 21. He can't bathe himself, he can't go to the bathroom by himself, he is like a 2 year old but a very grown man and it has become increasingly difficult for my Aunt to help him. He screams all the time..very loud. Is there anything my Aunt could possibly do to help his brain recover...at all...even a minute amount? Something that I can do for him that would help him? He's on so many medications it's ridiculous. She gets no help from the state and most doctors tell her she should put him in a mental institution but she just doesn't have the heart to "throw him away" like that. And we also realize that if he goes to a place like that..he will most likely be drugged so that he isn't so difficult. It's heartbreaking. He was a normal little boy at one time but due to being severely beaten...is now living a half life so undeserved. I know that you are very very busy and probably get a million emails asking you for help. If you do find the time..any suggestions would be so very helpful. There isn't much about brain damage..or really nothing at all on earthclinic. But I thought, if I was going to ask...you might be my best bet. Thanks so much

Usually I have seen some improvement in mental concentration with just 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon citric acid, taken twice a day with some magnesium cirate supplements. Vitamin C is seen sometimes as supportive. Lecithin now and then may also help, not taken often as well as vitamin B complex which are sometimes supportive of neural growth.

Most improvement I have seen is from the smart drugs, and baking soda. The key is to take only 4 days out of a week with 3 days off. Improvement is usually seen within a couple of days and the body often needs timeout also, assuming heavy metals is not at issue, which seems to be the case in children or adults with learning disorders. The extent of brain damage can be from metal toxicity, abuse, or other factors and differences in treatment is possible if the exact cause is known, but brain damage are relatively difficult to reverse, but some improvements can actually be seen. I remember certain cases where almost immediate improvement is seen with an injection of glutathione, which is a natural substances in reducing toxicity of the liver. So in some cases surprises can be seen.

Hi, I've read that some boxers use a supplement called "spirulina" to help repair brain injury. Apparently it encourages stem cell growth in the brain and some parkinson's patients use it to treat themselves. Research it on google yourself if you don't believe me.

Around 10 years ago I suffered a bad brain injury just from a whiplash in a car accident. The logical side of the brain was fuzzy and it was hard to focus. I felt like an ADD kid with a right sided stroke. I found out about Brain State Technology which works with the frequencies of the brain. I got rid of most of the brain injury, PTS, flat affect, and grand mal seizures by doing several rounds of Brain State. It works with the pre frontal cortex and optimizes the brain. Both my brother and nephew suffered from brain injury as well we discovered NOT ADD as we were told. Their anger cleared up and they had much better social skills as well as getting off anti depression and pain pills. I then saw other friends do it with amazing results. Check it out..... My brain injury was 7 years old and the epilepsy was 32 years old.... And I had great results..... Very little brain injury left and no seizures. Check it out. Good luck.... It does work. There is help for more than just brain injury doing this work. Blood pressure, anxiety and panic attacks, addictions, OCD, etc. The list goes on. Good luck.

My four month old baby girl is having seizures called infantile spasms. The EEG showed abnormal brain waves, The prognosis is severe mental and physical delay. The seizures are being controlled fot the most part with meds. What can I do to help her develop well mentally and physically?

Jessica, consider the amino acid Taurine as it is very benificial for brain health. Sprinkle half a capsule in formula and stir. Also make sure her formula has DHA or change formula altogether. Is this your first child? Are you breastfeeding?

Please look into the ketogenic diet for your daughter. It was started at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. A popular advocate of the diet is Jim Abraham whose son, Charlie, went from having over 100 seizures a day to none within 48 hours on the diet, after being on many different meds. You can find info at the charliefoundation if you google it. Best wishes!

For Jessica in TX - have you considered environmental toxins to be a possible cause for your sweet girl's seizures? I recently read of a case where a baby was having unexplained seizures. The parents had prepared the baby room with new paint, new carpet, new furniture (particle board-based), new baby mattress - everything new was off-gassing toxins. When the doctor suggested moving the baby to a different room, the seizures quit. Just a thought. Good luck!

I'm replying to C 2007 about the 21 year old young man with severe brain damage. Have researched CBD oil? There is help for people with brain damage by taking CBD. This is a pretty old post but thought I'd give it a shot. Lots of prayer to this family.